Role

:

Conductor  

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Henri René was a French-born American musician, composer, and arranger who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on December 29, 1906, in New York City, to French parents. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music from a young age. René began his musical career as a pianist, but he soon switched to the trumpet, which became his primary instrument. He started playing professionally in the 1920s, performing with various jazz bands in New York City. In 1936, he joined the Benny Goodman Orchestra as a trumpeter and arranger, where he worked for two years. In the late 1930s, René began working as a freelance arranger and composer, writing music for films, radio, and television. He also worked with several popular singers of the time, including Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and Eartha Kitt. René's arrangements were known for their lush, romantic sound, and he became one of the most sought-after arrangers in the industry. In the 1950s, René began focusing more on classical music, and he became the conductor of the Symphony of the Air, a New York-based orchestra. He also recorded several albums of classical music, including "Music for Bachelors" and "Compulsion to Swing." René's arrangements of classical pieces were often criticized for being too "pop" or "jazzy," but they were also praised for their accessibility and appeal to a wider audience. One of René's most significant achievements was his work on the soundtrack for the 1956 film "The King and I." He arranged and conducted the music for the film, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Score. René's arrangements of the classic songs from the musical, including "Getting to Know You" and "Shall We Dance," helped make the film a huge success. René continued to work in the music industry throughout the 1960s and 1970s, arranging and conducting music for films, television shows, and recording artists. He also continued to record his own albums of classical music, including "Music for the Weaker Sex" and "Music for the Big Screen." In addition to his work as a musician, René was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City and was a guest conductor for several orchestras around the world. Throughout his career, René received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the music industry. In 1957, he won a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement for his work on the album "Provocative Strings." He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. Henri René passed away on April 25, 1993, at the age of 86. He left behind a legacy of beautiful music and innovative arrangements that continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

More....